BACKGROUND Due to the increasing industrial use of titanium compounds, its determination is the subject of considerable efforts. The ionophore or membrane active recognition is the most important component of any polymeric membrane sensor. The sensor's response depends on the ionophore and bonding between the ionophore and the target ion. Ionophores with molecule-sized dimensions containing cav...

Metabolic control analysis was applied to intact HepG2 cells. The effect on the control coefficient of cytochrome c oxidase (CcOX) over cell respiration of both the electrical (Delta psi) and chemical (Delta pH) component of the mitochondrial transmembrane proton electrochemical gradient (Delta mu(H(+))) was investigated. The overall O(2) consumption and specific CcOX activity of actively phosp...

We have previously demonstrated that clioquinol (5-chloro-7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinoline) acts as a zinc ionophore and induces apoptosis of human cancer cells; however, the mechanisms of clioquinol/zinc-induced apoptotic cell death remain to be elucidated further. Using fluorescence-labelled probes, the present study has examined intracellular zinc distribution after clioquinol treatment in human ca...

The effects of divalent ionophores (A23187 and ionomycin), Ca2+ channel agonist (BAY K 8644), and protein kinase C (C-kinase) activators [phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), mezerein] on bovine tracheal smooth muscle contraction were investigated. A23187 (5 microM) and ionomycin (0.5 microM) produced a prompt but transient contraction. C-kinase activators either produced no effect--e.g., PMA...

Intracellular ATP levels in whole cells of Methanococcus voltae respond to electron transfer coupled to methanogenesis. ATP synthesis can also be induced by an artificially imposed transmembrane electrical potential [formed by electrogenic movement outwards of potassium (induced by valinomycin) or of protons (induced by an uncoupler], or by a pH gradient (acid outside). These results implicate ...